Finding Peace in the Light of the World

When I wake up in the morning, I begin my day by acknowledging Jesus before my feet hit the floor. After a brief time of meditation, I use my bedside kneeler and pray my morning prayers. Some days, I use the 2019 Book of Common Prayer, and other times I may use different sources. This morning, I chose the Glenstal Book of Prayer using the Morning section. For those who use the Glenstal Book of Prayer, you’ll notice a common thread. Each morning of prayer has a short invocation:

“Glory be to God who has shown us the light!

Lead me from darkness to light,

Lead me from sadness to joy,

Lead me from death to immortality,

Glory be to God who has shown us the light!”

These words had a particular depth today. Today, February 2, is the Feast of Presentation (also known as Candlemas) and a day of prayer for those in consecrated life. It’s the day we remember Luke 2:22-40 when Jesus, Mary, and Joseph traveled to Jerusalem forty days after the birth of Jesus to present Him to God and offer sacrifice in the temple. During their time in the temple, Simeon prophecied Christ was “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” In the church, Candlemas is when we bless the candles, a symbol of Christ’s birth who lights up the world’s Dar

As religious, the sisters and I remember that we are also to pray today for those called to consecrated life (those in religious or monastic orders). For those who may be unsure of what consecrated life means:

“In the consecrated life, Christ’s faithful, moved by the Holy Spirit, propose to follow Christ more nearly, to give themselves to God who is loved above all and, pursuing the perfection of charity in the service of the Kingdom, to signify and proclaim in the Church the glory of the world to come.” (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)

To understand the call to serve Christ means we must embrace all parts of who He is and allow Him to transform the dark areas of our hearts and minds. In Mark chapter 1, we read how Jesus began His ministry and called His disciples to follow Him. In Mark 1:17, it says, “And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’” There were two critical elements to becoming a disciple. There was obeying the call and making a choice to become who Christ wants us to be. We understand that living a consecrated life is a life of love and sacrifice. Recognizing the transformative power of Christ’s presence, we seek to share His light with the world by seeing, listening, and serving God’s children. It is when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us from darkness to light, from sadness to joy, and from death to immortality, we receive His peace that passes all understanding. For this reason, we as consecrated, ordained, and lay alike will forever say, “Glory be to God who has shown us the light!”

Written by Sister Shawna Osborn, RN, FCN.